(StatePoint) With metrics for COVID-19 improving, many companies are starting to consider returning to work in person. But most employees and employers agree it won’t look like it did before.

(StatePoint) Silicosis, a type of lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, mainly affects workers in jobs such as construction and mining. Over time, exposure to silica particles causes scarring in the lungs, which can harm your ability to breathe.

(StatePoint) Having kids can mean having a lot of stuff, not all of which is made from eco-friendly materials. However, if you’re like many parents, you want your children to have a clean, healthy planet to live in when they grow up. Going green while parenting might sound challenging, but it’s definitely not impossible. These tips and insights can help get you started:

(StatePoint) With warm weather, longer days, and more free time, it’s easy to find ways to stay fit in summer without a gym. And while you may squeeze in a solo workout here and there, making fitness a social activity can keep participants motivated and accountable.

(StatePoint) With unemployment rates nearly twice as high as their pre-pandemic levels reported in February 2020, the prospect of starting a new career after age 50 may seem unrealistic. However, industry experts say that it’s actually a great time for those in this age bracket to consider making the leap.

(StatePoint) What does Earth Day have to do with veterans suffering from psychological trauma brought about by their combat experience? A lot, actually.

(StatePoint) While the tireless work of medical professionals, teachers and grocery store workers has rightfully been celebrated throughout the pandemic, you may be less familiar with the work of housing counselors. During a challenging year that exacerbated the U.S. housing crisis, those close to the situation say that housing counselors are the pandemic’s unsung heroes.

(StatePoint) What does paying for college during life’s “new normal” and current economic climate look like? A new survey highlights parent plans and concerns regarding the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.

(StatePoint) April is Global Volunteer Month, a time to recognize the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges.

(StatePoint) Climate-related crises like rising sea levels, severe weather events and longer drought seasons are challenging the global economy. They’re also driving the launch of new clean technologies.

(StatePoint) More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s becoming clear that some patients who recover may take longer to feel like themselves than others.

(StatePoint) In 2014, Benito Castro was sentenced to six years in prison for passing bad checks as a result of a gambling habit he’d developed. Today, he’s the director of operations for a grocery store chain and runs freedomrides.org, a non-profit he started that provides transportation for those recently released from prison.

(StatePoint) With many schools continuing to meet remotely, students nationwide have lacked access to on-campus music facilities and in-person instruction. Fortunately, there are some new avenues and resources that are making music education at home a viable prospect.

(StatePoint) While the rollout of the vaccine has been a relief for the nation’s teachers, many of whom have been working in-person on and off since the start of the pandemic, the reality is that not everyone will get the vaccine. What’s more, being in the school building all day with children who are not yet approved for immunization leaves many educators and school staff vulnerable to COVID-19, no matter how many precautions they take while off the clock.

(StatePoint) Despite safety efforts and countless resources spent, factories, warehouses and labor union workers are continuing to be hit hard by COVID-19. As the vaccine slowly rolls out nationwide, ensuring that viruses can’t spread through surface contact remains a crucial component in keeping America’s workforce safe. New technology can help.

(StatePoint) Women-owned small businesses are an economic driving force. Today, nearly 13 million women-owned businesses nationwide employ 9.4 million workers and earn $1.9 trillion in revenue.

(StatePoint) Music is a mood booster and can help promote mental health. This past year has been particularly challenging, inspiring many people to reap the many benefits of bringing more music into their homes. Here is how you can too:

(StatePoint) The global challenges of the future will require kids today to have a strong STEM foundation. Unfortunately, girls are not always expected or encouraged to pursue these fields of study. Here are some great ways to boost girls’ interest in math and science:

(StatePoint) When it comes to the emotional well-being of students post-pandemic, a new study reveals that teachers expect significant challenges when schools make a full return to in-person learning.

(StatePoint) By now, you’ve heard about 5G or might have access to it on your smartphone, but do you know what it is, how it works or what it can do for you?

(StatePoint) 3M Sponsored Content.

(StatePoint) With certain travel options difficult to execute this year, you may find yourself staying put for spring break. But you don’t need to idle away the time. Here are five ways to use the vacation wisely:

(StatePoint) When it comes to recycling, you may not often think about something as small as your contact lenses. Did you know, though, that 45 million Americans who wear contact lenses flush anywhere between 1.8 and 3.36 billion lenses down the toilet or sink per year? As a result, contact lenses could be contributing to the trillions of microplastics in waterways that can harm marine wildlife and even enter our food supply.

(StatePoint) Since its founding in 1941, the USO has provided generations of service members and their families with crucial support. During that 80-year history, the world, the military and the needs of service members changed. The USO also adapted, adjusting and expanding its operations to help boost their morale and keep them connected to home.

(StatePoint) More than 2.7 million American children are growing up in grandfamilies -- families in which grandparents, other adult family members, or close family friends are raising children. A new report highlights how the pandemic has amplified their unique challenges, and offers solutions to better serve them.

(StatePoint) Plastic contributes to climate change and is a major pollutant, harming wildlife and people. With Earth Day around the corner, here are a few tips for reducing your plastic footprint at home that will also contribute to a healthier planet.  

(StatePoint) More than 500,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 and there have been more than 28 million cases nationwide. Doctors say it’s vital that Americans get vaccinated when it’s their turn, and continue to take precautions against infection.

(StatePoint) Plastic pollution is not just an eyesore. According to environmental experts, it also affects marine species, accelerates climate change and adversely impacts human health, particularly in low-income communities near plastic production sites, which face greater exposure to toxins and waste and bear the brunt of the impacts of improper plastic disposal and incineration. A new report highlights the role supermarkets play in the plastic pollution crisis.

(StatePoint) How do you thank someone who’s willing to risk their life for yours? When it comes to military service members and their families, advocates say there are many avenues for giving back meaningfully.

(StatePoint) While life around the globe has changed significantly since the  Peace Corps was founded 60 years ago, the agency’s mission to promote world peace and friendship between Americans and people around the world has not.

(StatePoint) The past year has demonstrated the importance of digital learning. And thanks to a variety of tools and resources that helped make remote instruction a little less stressful on everyone, teachers, students and parents quickly adapted to the changes brought on by the pandemic.

(StatePoint) The United Service Organizations (USO), the nation’s leading not-for-profit charity that serves the men and women in the U.S. military and their families, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

(StatePoint) As more Americans get vaccinated against COVID-19, you may find yourself out and about more. Whether you’re returning to the workplace or just getting a haircut, mask requirements may be in place in certain venues you frequent.

(StatePoint) If you’ve ever noticed a bird attack your windows, you may wonder why this strange behavior is occurring. Beyond the potential disruption it might cause your family, repeated attacks can be harmful to birds. Understanding the problem however, can help you put a stop to it, and better protect the birds nesting on your property.

(StatePoint) With the pandemic continuing to disrupt routines, you may have growing anxieties about how the extended crisis will affect your child’s social and emotional health long-term.

(StatePoint) As the pandemic continues to restrict many of the places you are able or inclined to go, finding ways to stay active is important for keeping the body and mind healthy and happy. Here are some ideas for new hobbies to try.

(StatePoint) More than 12 million people are currently employed in tech-related occupations in the U.S., either as information technology (IT) professionals or employees of technology companies. Yet employer demand for tech workers is still strong in many markets and industries, including technology, financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, government and education.

(StatePoint) Social isolation among seniors is not only linked to numerous negative health consequences like depression and cardiovascular disease, but it’s also a primary contributing factor in financial exploitation and scams. Estimated to affect one in 10 older adults and cost billions annually, the threat of elder financial fraud is pervasive, and especially so right now.

(StatePoint) Each year, millions of Americans get sick from “seasonal influenza” (“the flu”). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 38 million people got sick with the flu during the 2019-2020 flu season. The flu is more dangerous than the common cold and children are at higher risk for developing serious complications. More than 12 million children under the age of 18 were diagnosed with flu last year, and of those children diagnosed, more than 52,000 were hospitalized. However, there are preventive steps parents can take to protect their children and family from the flu.

(StatePoint Media) Confidence is a great thing. It can make people more open to learning new skills, pursuing new opportunities and living new experiences. When it comes to career choices, confidence, or rather a lack of it, can keep qualified and motivated individuals from even considering certain fields. Technology is at the forefront of this dilemma, according to those in the industry, who also note that lingering misconceptions may be widening a “confidence gap.”

(StatePoint) Afterschool programs help students succeed in school and in life and provide invaluable support to communities. As we’ve seen this year, these programs play an especially important role when students, families, and communities are struggling.

(StatePoint) Parents of children enrolled in afterschool programs are happier with their participation than ever before, according to a new study. At the same time, there aren’t nearly enough programs available, and students from low-income families are the most likely to lack access. For every child in an afterschool program today, three more are waiting to get in.